Head Gasket and Timing Belt Job

[TheRock0720]

Alright, currently we're doing a head gasket and timing belt change on my 1999 RS. I will update this thread later with all the pictures and what not, but for now I have a quick question on cleaning the block. The head is in the machine shop getting hot tanked, machined and new valve seals put in.

I was wondering whats the best way to go about cleaning the head gasket mating surface on the block and maybe even cleaning up the pistons a little bit to remove all the "gunk."

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[bryanwheat]

A razor blade or gasket scraper will work fine on the block. I wouldn't worry too much about the carbon on the pistons, just take compressed air and blow the loose stuff off.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Make sure to take your time and make sure you get everything clean as you can and youll be good.

 

[livedsm4g63]

A razor blade or gasket scraper will work fine on the block. I wouldn't worry too much about the carbon on the pistons, just take compressed air and blow the loose stuff off.

I second using a razor. Take your time and it will be good as new. I used that method and my mitsu mls sealed perfectly.

 

[TheRock0720]

Alright, I'll be trying out some razor blades and some acetone to help out too .

Hopefully that does the trick. Will be getting the head back tomorrow. Defiantly had bad valve seals too, as there was surprisingly a bunch of oil in the intake D:

Also, never try those products that are supposed to help stop "head gasket leaks." My coolant ports on my head were completely blocked on the intake side and a few were blocked on the exhaust side. Cleaning out the block of this stuff should be fun, but at least there isn't too much in the block..

I second using a razor. Take your time and it will be good as new. I used that method and my mitsu mls sealed perfectly.

what is the special technique for using the razor blade to clean the gasket off of the block?

 

[TheRock0720]

Well I put the nice and clean head back on and torqued everything down. Went to put the cams in, lubed everything up and place anaerobic sealant where necessary.. Went to go torque down the bolts holding the cam down to the valve cover and one of them snapped right off into the head.

What is the best and easiest way to remove this broken off bolt WITHOUT taking apart the head AGAIN?

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I'll be checking a few stores around here to see if they have this tool:
Amazon.com: Alden 3127P Drill-out Broken Bolt Extractor 5/16 in. (8mm): Home Improvement

 

[WES_393]

I would use a drill and an easy out. If you really don't want to pull the head again, I would cover the surrounding area very well with rags, paper towels, etc. Then flush the head with clean oil afterwards to clear out any metal shavings that might have made it into the head.

 

[TheRock0720]

alright, I'll see what I can find around at the stores...

where can I get replacement bolt(s)? if its from the dealer, can I get a part number? if not, a link or an exact name of what these bolts are called would help... maybe even the bolt and thread type/size..

I ended up ordering them from Mitsubishi in NY... since time was an issue i had them overnight shipped for a grand total of $63.00 (includes shipping and 6 of those bolts haha, outrageous I know but it was our only option)

 

[TheRock0720]

Alright so we got everything back together yesterday and went to go try to start it. The car sounded like it wanted to start the first time we cranked it but never did. We kept trying and no go. We changed spark plugs with some new ones (NGK BKR6ES-11 gapped to 0.045"). We then tried starting it and she fired up after about 2 or 3 seconds of cranking (much much much quicker than before). BUT the car sounded like it was misfiring and was running like complete crap! So we shut it off and since time was an issue (couldn't use my buddies garage anymore) we had it towed to my mechanic and he'll be looking at Monday morning.

Hopefully its just a simple fix. We double checked the timing before we put everything back and we got everything lined up on the FIRST try. We were so impressed! But we won't rule out the timing as the problem..

One other thing we did replace (along with many other little things when we did this job) was when I was cleaning the throttle body I was taking out the IAC and the bolt snapped. Long story short the throttle body broke when I was extracting the bolt so I had to get a "used" throttle body from a local junk yard (we kept the old sensors on it), so maybe that could be not helping the situation if the sensors are no good??

 

[TheRock0720]

Update: turns out that my timing was off (which is what I originally expected). I will have my car back tomorrow and we should be good to go! I'll post tomorrow how many teeth I was off...I thought I was pretty dead on.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Finish your thread!

How did you go about setting your timing since you had to take off the head/cam sprockets?

 

[TheRock0720]

Finish your thread!

How did you go about setting your timing since you had to take off the head/cam sprockets?

Oh boy... I sold this car months ago haha. I apologize for not updating..

I just followed the steps in the manual and on the forum. But I ended up taking it to my mechanic who finished it up. The hydraulic tensioner failed, luckily I never drove the car until he replaced it. So always a good idea to replace it!

 

[bullettdsm]

2GNT.com - Timing_Belt_Replacement
2GNT.com - Removal_of_Passenger_Side_Motor_Mount_Plate_Only
2GNT.com - PROPER_TIMING_MARK_ALIGNMENT

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